Interesting prompts ...
to start a conversation going ...
as and when you might need one ...
a diversion to talk about

Wednesday, 19 April 2017

Peace and Love Blog Hop: Write - Edit - Publish ...

A bicycle made for two … peace and love as you cycle the
countryside …

This Nat King Cole You Tube Link has some beautiful illustrations that go along with the song ... "On a Bicycle Built for Two" - it only lasts 1.45 ...well worth a listen: those of us doing the A-Z ... will need some light entertainment.

I searched for 19th April and came upon “Bicycle
Day” – coincidence for the WEP: Peace and Love Blog Hop – yes … well I then
went to the page and lo and behold what did I find but ….

Bicycle Day Celebration Blotter

… a bicycle ride home on LSD … the first self-experiment by Albert
Hoffman on this day in 1943. The reason
for the bicycle: it was war time and the only mode of transport available was
two wheels.

A bicycle made for two, three or four ...

It’s an interesting article … and some aspects are amusing …
but we all know the challenges with LSD … and I’m sure you’ll be riding your
bicycle made for two with love and peace in your mind and heart …

22 comments:

Hi Hilary. An intriguing post. I'd expect nothing else from you. I wonder if everybody does know about LSD. I think it's been taken over by lots of other designer drugs these days, but it's still probably as strong, or stronger, than most. I was doing research for LSD for my Paris story, as one of the characters tries it. I discovered that it's practically legal in Russia. Also, that many doctors experimented themselves to actually see its affects. Hmmmmmm...

Great post for WEP.

Thanks for taking the time when you're so snowed under with the A-Z, but I'm sure you're enjoying every minute...or I hope you are!

This is fascinating, albeit uncomfortable reading. I am so grateful that they travelled home by bicycle. I shudder to think of the damage they could cause in a motor car. Of the damage that is so often done by people in altered states of consciousness at the wheel of a car...We really are a species of slow learners.

Hi Denise - thanks for checking this out for me. You're right about LSD - it has been taken over by so many other concoctions.

"Spice" (synthetic cannabis) is the horror one that is affecting so many now ... it seems to just send people into a zombie state: horrific to see on tv and very difficult for the medics to treat ... and because it's cheaper - more difficult to come off. I don't know .. it's worrying ...

I hope you read the Big Think article I link to ... re LSD ...

@ EC - I know it makes very uncomfortable reading ... and the damage being caused by drug users is just so worrying - it takes so many resources away from the police and from the medics ...

... as you so rightly point out - we are a species of slow learners ..

I'd never heard of Bicycle Day, and did not know about the banning of automobiles during the war. Makes sense though. This was interesting. Funny how things can cycle around to become connected in unusual ways.

What a great post, Hilary. I had no idea about Bike Day. Maybe it should be promoted - cut back on emissions for a day. A 'Take Your Bike to Work Day' sounds good :) Don't think the commuters will be best pleased though :) Hope all is well with you.

Super job connecting up such varied subjects for the prompt, love how your mind works Hilary! Of course had to do a quick scoot to YouTube to listen to the Olden Goldie or Golden Oldie, both apply :)

I do recall LSD was a big thing when I was growing up, and I know of some families which lost children to drugs sadly. Though like Denise says, there are more, and more sophisticated things to worry about now, in addition to LSD. And the prospect of narcotics masquerading as medicines/cures being prescribed by trusted medical professionals is quite horrifying.

But on the other hand the awareness of the dangers of drug/substance abuse is higher among the newer generation and the schools/teachers/communities do a significantly better job of informing them I think. My generation was just left to its own devices and navigated largely without the foggiest notion, except for whatever info the parents/home environment provided. Both parents and children are better informed nowadays, and the internet has played a substantial role in that.

You always present a completely unique perspective on a prompt! Thank you for this stimulating post.

I remember now how those two words "peace and love" became code words for the anti-war movement back in the Sixties with drugs and sex tossed into the mix. LSD was a big thing, and scary too, as I heard so many stories of "bad trips" sending people permanently out of their minds and into mental institutions.

@ Donna – when I saw the prompt for this – I thought can I do it .. or not, as the A-Z would be on … but having found the bicycle link and then remembered ‘a bicycle made for two’ song – peace and love it became … not sure how I got to the LSD bit … but I did! Two months’ later … I’m not altering a thing! See link below –that’s how …

@ Diane – pity as I know friends who take their tandems and bikes over to the continent for trips (sober ones! (see link below)) and they love it … sorry that you can’t persuade N …

@ DeeDee – they are fun … I’ve only had a ride – not ever been on a day out with one … but they certainly conjure up a lovely day or two out and about …

@ Sue – yes he was way too drugged up … but he was experimenting as all good scientists do … not sure what he found was good, but someone would have done it sometime …

@ Nicola – “Bicycle Day” is not specific to the two wheeled variety .. but rather “a trip on a bicycle” by Dr Albert Hoffmann …See here: https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/bicycle-day/

There is a cycle day in May … so this is just having a ‘’’’’’trip’’’’’’!

@ Nila – thanks so much … I wondered about posting it – it really is convoluted … but still seems to meet with approval.

It does tie in as the link above tells you more – I probably didn’t explain it properly …

Yes I’d no idea about drugs and encountered them when I lived in Oxford – thank fully I was pretty reticent; though now I can see the kids should be more aware with the information that’s put out, and most are thank goodness.

Yes – my mind tends to always connect a few extra dots along the way … but I’m glad you listened to the YouTube clip – it’s fun …

@ Jacqui – the tandems and varieties come out along the seafront … but occasionally I see them on the road … and know of people who have holidays on them … in Spain and France and I’m sure here in places.

@ Gail – thanks … I couldn’t resist the music video – short and sweet. I’m amazed what we find when we look around …

@ Guilie – yes not something done lightly even in 1943, but I’m sure the urgency to get back to a safe place was the important thing with a head full of LSD …

I must check in with you whether the films came up …

@ Cynthia – thank you … so many memories in ways here … we used to cycle round the garden singing ‘three old ladies locked in a lavatory’ – we weren’t that popular as my father was trying to work!!

@ Sue – how wonderful you both enjoyed listening to Nat’s interpretation … he has such a fine voice …

Thank you all so much for visiting – sorry the A-Z got in the way of me replying here … but eventually I got here … cheers Hilary

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About Me

A lover of life – who after London, spent time in South Africa; an administrator, sports lover, who enjoys cooking and entertaining ... who through her mother’s illness found a new passion – writing, in particular blogging; which provides an opportunity for future exploration, by the daughter, who has (in her 3rd age years) found a love of historical education. Curiosity didn’t kill this cat – interaction is the key!